Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe has pledged to transform farming into an appealing venture for the youth of Kenya.
Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments at Parliament buildings in Nairobi on Tuesday, Kagwe described agriculture as currently “boring” and emphasized the need to inject new energy into the sector.
Kagwe proposed the integration of modern technologies, such as financial technology (fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI), into agricultural training programs. He highlighted the importance of making agriculture “cool” to attract young people, stating, “We will work with the education ministry to revamp how we train agriculture students.”
With a background as the former minister for Information Communication and Technology (ICT) during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration and as Nyeri County’s first senator from 2013 to 2017, Kagwe brings significant experience to the role. If confirmed, he will succeed Andrew Karanja, who has been nominated by President Ruto as Kenya’s ambassador to Brazil.
Kagwe’s vision seeks to not only modernize the farming sector but also to inspire a new generation of Kenyans to engage in agriculture, ensuring its relevance and sustainability in the future.
